Rip Currents Can Be Deadly – Ten Ways to Help Stay Safe

As the temperatures soar, more and more of us will head to the seashore for some summer fun. Dangerous rip currents are a possibility beachgoers should be aware of and the American Red Cross has steps swimmers should follow if caught up in a rip current.

What are rip currents? They are powerful currents of water flowing away from shore. Rip currents usually extend from the shoreline past the line of breaking waves, and can occur at any beach with breaking waves, even on large lakes.

Rip currents are responsible for deaths on our nation’s beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by lifeguards. Be aware of the danger of rip currents and remember the following:

1. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards and ask them about local conditions.

2. If you plan to swim in the ocean, learn how to swim in the surf. Swim only at a beach with a lifeguard, within the designated swimming area.

3. If you are caught in a rip current, try not to panic.

4. Signal to those on shore that you need assistance.

5. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current.

6. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore.

7. If you can’t swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.

8. Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.

9. If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1. Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. It’s important to know that people can drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.

Designate a “Water Watcher” to keep a close eye and constant attention on children and adults while at the beach until the next Water Watcher takes over. Wave action can cause someone to lose their footing, even in shallow water.

All non-swimmers need to be monitored with arms-reach supervision by an adult who can swim.

Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

Watch out for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants and leave animals alone.

DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS The Red Cross Swim App promotes water safety education and helps parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim. The app has features specifically designed for children, including a variety of kid-friendly games, videos and quizzes. The Red Cross app “Emergency” can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hand for more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts. The Red Cross First Aid App puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your fingertips. Download these apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.